"Dark Paradise" (also registered as "Year of Summer" and "Paradise"[1], but not to be confused with the two songs of same name) is a song from Lana Del Rey's debut major-label album, Born to Die. It was written with Rick Nowels and produced by Emile Haynie. The song was released as the album's sixth single on March 1, 2013, exclusively in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Writing and inspiration[]
The song is thought by fans to be written about Del Rey's past lover K and his death, sharing dark thematic elements present in other songs thought to be written about him.
Del Rey recorded the first demo of the song at The Cutting Room Studios in New York City on September 24, 2011, with production by Björn Yttling.[2] Del Rey and Yttling wrote the verses and recorded the drums in a two-hour session.[citation needed]
The song is rumored to have 161 mixes.[S 1] While insiders have alluded to a variety of yet-unleaked demos of the song,[S 2] none of them reportedly feature new lyrics.[S 3][S 1] The song's radio mix is reportedly a finished demo from sessions with Rick Nowels.[S 4] A snippet of an unknown demo leaked on May 16, 2024.
Composition[]
The song features a similar sound to other songs on Born to Die, with orchestral production and a mid-tempo ballad structure. It features a sample of the song "Mary Jane (Live @ Long Beach '81)" by Rick James, which is also used in "Lolita", "Blue Jeans", "Without You", and "National Anthem". It has a tempo of 120 beats per minute, making it one of the fastest songs on the album. The key of the song is C♯ minor.
Critical reception[]
The song garnered mixed reviews from critics. Most critical reviews came from the melodramatic tone of the song, along with its lyrical content and repetitive production. Billboard Staff noted that "the fatigue sets in" when this song comes up on the album, and described the song as a "subpar ballad".[3] Jaime Gill of BBC Music used the song as an example as why Born to Die isn't perfect, also noting the song as the point of decline on the album: "[the album] slumps slightly towards the end, and the glossy trip-hop production grows wearying on lesser gothic melodramas like Dark Paradise."[4] David Edwards of Drowned in Sound said he had a genuine love for the album, but specified "Carmen" and "Dark Paradise" as points where the album drifts without focus, and of the latter specifically: "[Del Rey's] caricature extends beyond our empathy."[5]
Conversely, Los Angeles Times named it among the album's best, alongside "Video Games" and "Summertime Sadness".[6] Bradley Stern of MuuMuse also highlighted the song as a standout and commented on its message: "...beneath the song's gothic exterior lies an [sic] deeply romantic sentiment, suggesting that love trumps all circumstances–even death..."[7]
Use in media[]
In 2013, the song was used during an episode of The CW's The Originals, titled "Tangled Up In Blue".[8]
Live performances[]
"Dark Paradise" was performed for the first known time at Glasslands Gallery on September 14, 2011, before the release of Born to Die. This live performance, under which Del Rey performed as Queen of Coney Island, features alternate lyrics. A short clip exists online.[9] The song was performed at several stops on the 2013 Paradise Tour.
Del Rey performed a brief a cappella snippet of the song live on April 2, 2018, in Sydney, Australia and again on April 13 in Rome, Italy per crowd request, as part of the LA to the Moon Tour.
The song was a part of a session done by Del Rey's live touring band in preparation for her Paradise Tour performances. The full rehearsal session, which featured Del Rey's pre-recorded vocals and were created with the intent of aiding the tour's videographer, leaked on October 15, 2020.
Music video[]
During a June 21, 2012 interview with Fearne Cotton on BBC Radio 1, Del Rey stated that she planned to record a music video for the song for release in September of that year,[10] but the video did not come to fruition. According to an insider, the music video "was going to happen" and at one point was "waiting for clearance",[S 1] though nothing ever came of it.
Cross-references[]
- Thematic references to the ocean can also be found in the song of the same name, "Methamphetamines", "Bentley", "Religion", "Salvatore", and "Heavy Hitter".
- The word "paradise" also appears in "Coca Colla", "Every Man Gets His Wish", "Television Heaven", "Velvet Crowbar", and the two songs of the same name, among others.
- "Pretty baby" is a lyric used in "Florida Kilos", "For K, Pt. 2", and the song of the same name, among others.
- The lyric "all my friends tell me I should move on" is similar to "when all my friends say I should take some space" from "Religion".
- The lyric "no remedy for memory" is also used in "Tired of Singing the Blues".
Official versions[]
- Album version — 4:03
- Instrumental version — 4:04
- Radio mix (produced by Rick Nowels and Devrim Karaoğlu) — 3:52
- Demo version 1 (produced by Björn Yttling) — 2:23
- Demo version 2 (produced by Rick Nowels) — 3:58
- Paradise Tour rehearsal session — 4:52
Official remixes[]
- Parov Stelar Remix — 4:21
Lyrics[]
Album version[]
All my friends tell me I should move on
I'm lyin' in the ocean singin' your song
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah"
That's how you sang it
Lovin' you forever can't be wrong
Even though you're not here, won't move on
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah"
That's how we played it
And there's no remedy for memory, your face is like a melody
It won't leave my head
Your soul is haunting me and telling me that everything is fine
But I wish I was dead (Dead like you)
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, I'm scared that you
Won't be waiting on the other side
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, but there's no you
Except in my dreams tonight
All my friends ask me why I stay strong
Tell 'em when you find true love, it lives on
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah"
That's why I stay here
And there's no remedy for memory, your face is like a melody
It won't leave my head
Your soul is haunting me and telling me that everything is fine
But I wish I was dead (Dead like you)
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, I'm scared that you
Won't be waiting on the other side
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, but there's no you
Except in my dreams tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ah-ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ah-ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
There's no relief, I see you in my sleep
And everybody's rushing me but I can feel you touching me
There's no release, I feel you in my dreams
Telling me I'm fine
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, I'm scared that you
Won't be waiting on the other side (So tell me)
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, but there's no you
Except in my dreams tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ah-ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ah-ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
Radio mix[]
All my friends tell me I should move on
I'm lyin' in the ocean singin' your song
("Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah")
That's how you sang it
Lovin' you forever can't be wrong
Even though you're not here, won't move on
("Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah")
That's how we played it
And there's no remedy for memory, your face is like a melody
It won't leave my head
Your soul is haunting me and telling me that everything is fine
But I wish I was dead (Dead like you)
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, I'm scared that you
Won't be waiting on the other side
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, but there's no you
Except in my dreams tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ah-ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
All my friends ask me why I stay strong
Tell 'em when you find true love, it lives on
("Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah")
That's why I stay here
And there's no remedy for memory, your face is like a melody
It won't leave my head
Your soul is haunting me and telling me that everything is fine
But I wish I was dead (Dead like you)
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, I'm scared that you
Won't be waiting on the other side
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, but there's no you
Except in my dreams tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ah-ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ah-ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
There's no relief, I see you in my sleep
And everybody's rushing me but I can feel you touching me
There's no release, I feel you in my dreams
Telling me I'm fine
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, I'm scared that you
Won't be waiting on the other side (So tell me)
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, but there's no you
Except in my dreams tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ah-ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ah-ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
Demo version 1[]
I got the ice, you got the fire
I got the stuff to take you higher
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah"
That's how you played it
I got the brains, you got the money
This is a race, let's go fast, honey
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah"
That's how you played it
Come on, pretty baby, I'll be taking you down
They say you got crazy like all over town
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, I'm scared that you
Won't be waiting on the other side
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, but there's no you
Except in my dreams tonight
I got the brains, you got the money
This is a race, let's go fast, honey
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah"
That's how you played it
Come on, pretty baby, I'll be taking you down
They say you got crazy like all over town
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, I'm scared that you
Won't be waiting on the other side
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, but there's no you
Except in my dreams tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ah-ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ah-ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
Demo version 2[]
All my friends tell me I should move on
I'm lyin' in the ocean singin' your song
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah"
That's how you sang it
Lovin' you forever can't be wrong
Even though you're not here, won't move on
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah"
That's how you played it
And there's no remedy for memory, your face is like a melody
It won't leave my head
Your soul is haunting me and telling me that everything is fine
But I wish I was dead (Dead like you)
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, I'm scared that you
Won't be waiting on the other side
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ah-ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
All my friends ask me why I stay strong
Tell 'em when you find true love, it lives on
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah"
That's why I stay here
'Cause there's no remedy for memory, your face is like a melody
It won't leave my head
Your soul is haunting me and telling me that everything is fine
But I wish I was dead (Dead like you)
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, I'm scared that you
Won't be waiting on the other side
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, but there's no you
Except in my dreams tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ah-ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ah-ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
There's no relief, I see you in my sleep
And everybody's rushing me, but I can feel you touching me
There's no release, I feel you in my dreams
Telling me I'm fine
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, I'm scared that you
Won't be waiting on the other side (So tell me)
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, but there's no you
Except in my dreams tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ah-ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ah-ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ah-ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ah-ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
Glasslands live version[]
[Snippet]:
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah"
That's why I stay here
Everybody told me I was fallin' in love
I said, "you would fall too if you knew what I was dreamin' of"
Everybody told me I was stupid because
You were bad, you were wrong, and I knew it
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, I'm scared that you
Won't be waiting on the other side
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you, [?]
Commercial release[]
Digital releases[]
- Germany, Austria, & Switzerland
Dark Paradise - Single
|
Label: Vertigo Format: Digital download Released: March 1, 2013 Barcode: N/A Photography: Nicole Nodland Design: Unknown |
|---|
| # | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Dark Paradise" (Radio Mix) | 3:52 |
| 2. | "Dark Paradise" | 4:04 |
- Germany, Austria, & Switzerland
Dark Paradise (Parov Stelar Remix) - Single
|
Label: Vertigo Format: Digital download Released: March 1, 2013 Barcode: N/A Photography: Nicole Nodland Design: Unknown |
|---|
| # | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Dark Paradise" (Parov Stelar Remix) | 4:21 |
Physical release[]
- Germany, Austria, & Switzerland
|
|
Label: Vertigo Format: CD in slimcase Released: March 1, 2013 Barcode: 0602537325719 Photography: Nicole Nodland Design: Unknown |
|---|
| # | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Dark Paradise" (Radio Mix) | 3:52 |
| 2. | "Dark Paradise" | 4:04 |
Promotional release[]
Dark Paradise CDr by Vertigo; Germany[]
Dark Paradise (Parov Stelar Remix) CDr by Vertigo; Germany[]
Credits[]
Personnel[a]
- Lana Del Rey — songwriting, vocals
- Rick Nowels — songwriting, co-production, guitar
- Emile Haynie — production, drums, keyboards
- Larry Gold — strings arrangement, strings conducting
- Steve Tirpak — strings assistance
- Patrick Warren — Chamberlin strings
- Maria Vidal — additional vocals
- Devrim Karaoğlu — additional synths, orchestral drums
- Dean Reid — pads
- Manny Marroquin — mixing
- Erik Madrid — mixing assistance
- Chris Galland — mixing assistance
- John Davis — mastering
Technical
- Published by EMI
- Mastered at Metropolis Mastering, London, United Kingdom
Charts and certifications[]
Weekly charts[]
Certifications[]
References[]
Notes[]
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